User authentication method and user authentication system

ABSTRACT

A verification server is configured to communicate with a usage target system via a first communication channel and an information terminal device via a second communication channel. The verification server includes: a unit for registering personal information of a user for using a usage target system; a unit for receiving, via the second communication channel, system identification information of the usage target system and a restriction code from an information terminal device owned by a use; a unit for generating an internal system password for the usage target system; a unit for receiving, via the first communication channel, a plurality of characters from the usage target system, the plurality of characters being inputted by a user into the usage target system; and a unit for determining whether the plurality of characters are legitimate based on the internal system password and the system identification information.

CROSS-REFERENCES

The present application is a continuation application, and thus claimsbenefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §120, of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/233,869 filed on Sep. 15, 2011, which is a divisional application andthus claims benefit pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §121, of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/504,940 filed on Aug. 13, 2004, which issued asU.S. Pat. No. 8,140,854 on Mar. 20, 2012, which This application relatesto and claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-36056,filed on Feb. 13, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a user verification method, and a userverification system for realizing the same.

In recent years, various information apparatuses, of which computers arerepresentative, have become widespread. In particular, mobile phonesprovided with electronic mail functions and internet connectionfunctions have spread extremely quickly, and have become necessaryinformation items for people.

As this information society advances, illegitimate access to systems,and other such security problems, are becoming extremely important. Inorder to prevent illegitimate access to systems, traditionally, a commonmethod is to use a pre-registered user ID and password to perform userverification. However, in order to answer to a need for even strongersecurity levels, proposals have been made for various user verificationmethods adapted to usage environments and objectives.

One of these is user verification system which limits terminal devicesthat can access a system. This method rests on a premise that the personwho owns the terminal device is the person using it. For example, whenaccessing a given system from a mobile phone, a per-unit identificationnumber that is assigned to that mobile phone can be used to achieve moresecure user verification.

Furthermore, user verification using a random number table is alsoknown. In this user verification using the random number table, randomnumber table cards with random number tables written thereon are issuedin advance to each user, and each time the user verification isperformed, the system designates a character at a freely chosen positionin the random number table, and has the user input it. Accordingly,since the inputted character changes each time, this method is effectiveagainst “eavesdropping”.

In user verification performed on the system, leaking (“eavesdropping”)of the password being used there results in causing extremely serioussecurity problems. Therefore, management of the password by the user isextremely important, and each of the users having “responsibility” intheir own actions is fundamental when considering the security problemsof the system.

In general, different passwords used for the user verification arerequired for each system, and the formats thereof are varied. As such,users who use many systems must manage many passwords, and passwordmanagement becomes a burden for the user. The user, because of thenature of passwords, should strive to maintain the password in his orher memory, but when managing many passwords, it is not rare to writethese down in a notebook or the like. Furthermore, users who findpassword management troublesome have set their passwords with charactersthat are easy to remember, or have set the same characters for thepassword for each system to manage them in an integrated fashion.

However, such actions by the user with respect to password managementmean that the system is exposed to security risks. As long as the useracts in this way, the originally intended user verification with thepassword has essential security problems.

Furthermore, even when the user pays careful attention when managing thepassword, for example, there were still security problems, such as whenthe password being inputted into a terminal device in a shop isillegitimately observed, or when an “eavesdropping” mechanism gets builtinto the terminal device itself, whereby the password leaks to a thirdparty.

Furthermore, even in user verification as described above where themobile phones that can access the system are limited, when a user losesa mobile phone or it is stolen or comes into the possession of a thirdparty, there is only the security level equivalent to when traditionaluser verification is performed, and thus this type of user verificationhad difficulties effectively preventing illegitimate access to thesystem. This was similar even in user verification using the randomnumber tables.

SUMMARY

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object ofthis invention is to provide a new user verification method and a systemfor realizing the same, which effectively prevent illegitimate access toa system by a third party.

Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention to providesuch a user verification method and a system for realizing the same,which maximally utilize existing system infrastructure, so as not toincur excess cost burden.

Furthermore, it is yet another object of the present invention toprovide a user verification method and a system for achieving the same,that effectively prevent illegitimate access to the system, while alsomaking password management by the user easy, and are convenient to usefor every user. By extension, it is an object of the present inventionto eliminate essential security problems arising from actions by theusers.

Furthermore, it is yet another object of the present invention toprovide a registration method and a user interface for achieving suchregistration method, for registering a “password” that is used in theverification methods described above and in the systems for achievingthe user verification methods.

The present invention is a user verification method and userverification system, in which a password derivation pattern for eachuser is pre-registered into a verification server, and then when theuser is to use a used target system, the verification server generates apresented pattern and presents this to the user. The user then inputs acharacter string corresponding to the user's own password derivationpattern for the presented pattern. The verification server then performsa confirmation of the inputted character string based on the presentedpattern and that user's own password derivation pattern, and theconfirmation result is then notified to the used target system.

The “password derivation pattern” refers to a specific element (group)which the user freely selects from an element group constituting anoverall pattern. More specifically, the password derivation pattern isan array pattern or array rule that shows how which element group wasselected from a matrix which is the overall pattern. It should benoticed here that the password derivation pattern does not refer to thespecific values of specific elements in the overall pattern, butultimately merely indicates the information of which element wasselected.

More specifically, according to a first aspect, the present invention isa user verification method comprising the steps of a registration stepof registering a password derivation pattern based on a specific elementselected from among a group of elements constituting a predeterminedpattern; a reception step of receiving system identification informationassigned to a usage target system, which is sent from an informationterminal device of a user; a generation step of generating a presentedpattern in which a predetermined character is assigned to each elementof the element group constituting the predetermined pattern when thesystem identification information is received from the informationterminal device; an input step of presenting a predetermined screencontaining the generated presented pattern onto the information terminaldevice, and urging the user to input a character assigned to a specificelement corresponding to the password derivation pattern; a judgmentstep of receiving the inputted character from the usage target system,and judging whether or not the received character is legitimate based onthe presented pattern and the user's password derivation pattern; and anotification step of notifying the result that was judged to the usagetarget system.

Furthermore, according to a second aspect, the present invention is auser verification method comprising the steps of registering a passwordderivation pattern based on a specific element selected from among agroup of elements constituting a predetermined pattern; receiving systemidentification information assigned to a usage target system, which issent from a user's information terminal device; generating a presentedpattern in which a predetermined character is assigned to each elementof the element group constituting the predetermined pattern when thepredetermined identification information is received from theinformation terminal device; presenting a predetermined screencontaining the generated presented pattern onto the information terminaldevice, and urging the user to input the character assigned to aspecific element corresponding to the password derivation pattern;receiving the inputted character from the information terminal device,and judging whether or not the received character is legitimate based onthe presented pattern and the user's password derivation pattern; andnotifying the result of the judgment to the usage target system.

The above-mentioned method invention can be understood as a deviceinvention. Furthermore, these inventions can be achieved as programs andas storage media storing such programs which, together withpredetermined hardware, achieve predetermined functions by beingexecuted on a computer.

Note that, in the present specification, “means” refers not to simplyphysical means, but also includes cases where software achieves afunction of the means. Furthermore, a function of one means may beachieved by two or more physical means, and functions of two or moremeans may be achieved by one physical means.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a summary diagram for explaining an overall scheme of a userverification method in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams for explaining a password derivationpattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a password derivation patternregistration screen displayed on a personal computer in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a settings confirmation screendisplayed on the personal computer in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of averification database, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen displayedon a usage target system, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen displayed on amobile phone, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a verification procedure startscreen displayed on the mobile phone, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing flow in a verificationserver, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of a user verificationrequest waiting table in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a random number table displayscreen, which is displayed on the mobile phone, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a reception screen displayedon the usage target system in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a password input screendisplayed on the usage target system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining processing flow in theverification server in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a summary diagram for explaining an overall scheme of a userverification method in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams showing examples of a password derivationpattern registration screen displayed on a mobile phone in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a settings confirmationscreen displayed on a mobile phone, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining processing flow of a passwordderivation pattern registration method in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 19A, 19B, and 19C are examples of a screen for explaining thepassword derivation pattern registration method in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is another example of a screen for explaining the passwordderivation pattern registration method, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a summary diagram for explaining an overall scheme of a userverification method in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of averification database 14;

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a user verification requestwaiting table;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart for explaining processing flow on a verificationserver 12, in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining processing flow on theverification server 12, in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart for explaining processing flow on theverification server 12, in accordance with the present embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing processing for generating per-systemidentification information;

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a password verification method;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a function code database that correspondsprocessing for informing a usage target system 11 with a function codewhich is a character associated corresponding to that processing; and

FIG. 30 is a summary diagram for explaining an overall scheme of theuser verification method, in accordance with the present embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Next, embodiments of the present invention are explained with referenceto the drawings. The following embodiments are illustrative examples forexplaining the present invention, and are not intended to restrict thepresent invention to the embodiments. The present invention can bereduced to practice in various embodiments provided it is done sowithout departing from the essence of the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a summary diagram for explaining an overall scheme of a userverification method in accordance with the present embodiment. As shownin FIG. 1, a usage target system 11 is connected to a verificationserver 12 via a communications line. Here, an example is shown in whichthe usage target system 11 is connected to the verification server 12via the Internet. The usage target system 11 is a system that requestsuser verification to enable usage by the user. The usage target system11, by means of user verification processing which is described below,approves usage for a user who is judged to be legitimate. As an exampleof application of the usage target system 11, stereotypically, asecurity room key opening/closing system or credit card payment terminaldevice can be given, but may also be a site for members on the Internetwhich is realized as virtual space.

This type of usage target system 11 stores a unique system ID (systemidentification information) on an internal ROM. Furthermore, the usagetarget system 11 preferably has a user interface for providing adialogic operating environment to a user. The user interface, forexample, is constituted by means of a 10-key and a correspondingdisplay. The usage target system 11, via the user interface, receives a“start usage” instruction from the user, and displays a system ID to theuser, and also receives a password input from the user and displays auser verification result.

A wireless terminal device 13 is a portable-type information terminaldevice having wireless communications functions, stereotypicallycorresponding to a mobile phone or PDA. Here, explanation is given usinga mobile phone as an example. The mobile phone 13 can connect from apacket communications network through a gateway to various nodes (e.g.,the verification server 12) on the Internet. The mobile phone 13, whenusing the usage target system 11, is used to provide, to the user,reference information for deriving a password necessary for userverification.

The verification server 12 performs verification of a user trying to setthe usage target system 11, and notifies the verification result to theusage target system 11. The verification server 12 is provided with averification database 14 that manages registration data that isnecessary for the user verification and has been received in advancefrom the user. The verification database 14 manages, as the registrationdata, information relating to users who can use the usage target system11, and information relating to the type of password derivation rulethat has been registered by that user. The information about thepassword derivation rule is a password derivation pattern and aconversion rule that are described below. The verification server 12 hasa Web server function in order to receive the registration data from theuser online.

The verification server 12 and the verification database 14,stereotypically, can be realized using a general-purpose computersystem. The verification server 12 is connected so as to be able tocommunicate with individual usage target systems 11 via communicationslines. In such a case, it is preferable to establish securecommunications. As in the present embodiment, when the usage targetsystem 11 and the verification server 12 are connected via the Internet,SSL communications or other such security communications techniques canbe applied to establish practical, secure communications. Note that,without going through the Internet, it is also possible to connect theseby means of a dedicated line.

A personal computer 15 is a terminal device used for the user toregister the password derivation pattern into the verification database14. The personal computer 15 is constructed so as to be able to connectto the Internet, and has a Web client function. The user, in order toregister the registration data that is necessary for the userconfirmation into the verification database 14, uses a Web browser toaccess the verification server 12.

Note that, in order for the user to register the password derivationpattern into the verification database 14, instead of the personalcomputer 15, it is also possible to use the mobile phone 13. In thepresent embodiment, the main reason why the personal computer 15 is usedis because, generally, personal computers 15 are functionally superiorto mobile phones 13 in terms of their user interfaces. In anotherembodiment, explanation is given regarding an example in which the userinterface of the mobile phone 13 is used to register the passwordderivation pattern.

The “password derivation pattern” indicates a specific group of elementsselected freely by the user, from among a group of elements constitutinga given overall pattern. To explain more specifically, it refers to anarray pattern or an array rule that shows which element group in thematrix that is the entire pattern was selected and how. Here, it shouldbe noted that the password derivation pattern does not refer to aspecific value itself which is plugged into a specific element withinthe overall pattern, but rather ultimately indicates merely theinformation of which element was selected and how.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are diagrams for explaining the password derivationpattern. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example where a 4-row,12-column matrix is the overall pattern. In FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B,hatching appears in the selected elements, and numeric characters appearin the elements in the sequence of selection. Therefore, the passwordderivation pattern in this case can be expressed, if the matrixexpression is used, as “(3, 2)-(0, 5)-(3, 7)-(0, 10)”.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing an example in which a 4-row, 4-columnmatrix is the overall pattern. In this case, the password derivationpattern can be expressed, if the matrix expression is used, as “(0,0)-(1, 2)-(2, 1)-(3, 2)”.

The password derivation pattern is used to perform the user verificationwith respect to the usage target system 11, and thus should beremembered by the user. As such, it can be said that the passwordderivation pattern is a type of password. The number of elements and thenumber of columns constituting the password derivation pattern arefreely determinable, and may be set appropriately according to thesecurity level in the user verification.

In a case where the password is a numeric character string of J digits,the overall pattern preferably is a matrix of K rows and L columns, soas to fulfill the following condition.

10̂J<(K*L)*(K*L−1) . . . (K*L−J+1)  Formula (1)

In a conventional verification method, when the password is a numericcharacter string of J digits, there are 10 times J number of passwordcombinations. On the other hand, according to the verification method ofthe present embodiment, when the overall pattern is a K-row, L-columnmatrix, there are (K*L)*(K*L−1) (K*L−J+1) combinations of passwordderivation patterns. Therefore, by constructing the overall pattern soas to satisfy the above-mentioned formula (1), the number ofcombinations can be increased more than in the conventional verificationmethod, and the security level can be raised. That is, in accordancewith the present embodiment, the number of digits of the password thatshould be inputted into the usage target system 11 can easily raise thesecurity level above the conventional verification method, simply bychanging the structure of the matrix, even when in the same case of theconventional verification method.

Returning to FIG. 1, a summary explanation is given regarding processingflow in the user verification method in accordance with the presentembodiment.

First, the user uses the personal computer 15 to pre-register his or herown password derivation pattern for the usage target system 11 into theverification database 14 ((1) in the diagram). When the user actuallytries to use the usage target system 11, in order to obtain the systemID thereof, the user operates the user interface of the usage targetsystem 11, to make the system display the system ID ((2) in thediagram).

Next, the user inputs the system ID into the mobile phone 13, and sendsto the verification server 12 ((3) in the diagram). The verificationserver 12 receives the system ID, generates a random number table, andsends this table to the user's mobile phone 13 as a presented pattern((4) in the diagram). The user references the presented pattern on themobile phone 13, and inputs the sequence (numeric character string) ofelement values in his or her own password derivation pattern into theusage target system 11 as the password. Accordingly, the usage targetsystem 11 sends the password to the verification server 12 ((5) in thediagram).

When the verification server 12 receives the password from the usagetarget system 11, the verification server 12 compares a numericcharacter string obtained from the user's password derivation patternwhich is already registered and the generated password derivationpattern, and the password sent from the usage target system 11, andjudges whether or not these match each other. The verification server 12sends a notification of the verification success when they do match eachother, and a notification of verification failure when they do not matcheach other, to the usage target system 11 indicated by the system ID((6) in the diagram). When the usage target system 11 receives thenotification of verification success from the verification server 12,the usage target system 11 permits usage by that user.

In this way, the password that the user should input is a temporary onethat is determined from the random number table generated each time userverification is performed, and according to the password derivationpattern pre-registered in advance. Therefore, even if the inputtedpassword were to leak to a third party, the password itself would becompletely meaningless the next time user confirmation is performed, andso illegitimate access will be effectively prevented. Furthermore, thistype of password derivation pattern which the user should remember isnot the conventional “specific numeric characters”, but a pattern whichis “conceptual, diagrammatic”, and therefore has a quality of being easyto remember and difficult to forget for the user, thus being suitablefor password management.

Next, explanation is given regarding the registration data that is usedin the user verification. In order for the user to use the usage targetsystem 11, before usage, the user must obtain a user account (user name)for the usage target system 11, and also must register a passwordderivation pattern for that user name. Therefore, the verificationdatabase 14 manages, as the registration data, which usage target system11 has given usage rights to what sort of user, and what sort ofpassword derivation patterns have been registered by each of theindividual users who have been given usage rights.

Registration of the user account for the usage target system 11,stereotypically, is conceivable in a form where the manager of the usagetarget system 11 receives a request from the user and performs it, orwhere it is performed by the user him- or herself. Which way to registerthe user account can be chosen appropriately according to the operationpolicy of the usage target system 11. As means for achieving the same,various existing techniques may be applied. Below, regarding the useraccount for the usage target system 11, it is assumed that the managerregistered the user account into the verification database 14, andexplanation is given regarding procedures for the user to register thepassword derivation pattern.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a password derivation pattern registrationscreen that is displayed on the personal computer 15. This registrationscreen is constituted by page data that is described by HTML or othersuch page authoring language. The user operates a Web browser to accessthe verification server 12, to have this registration screen displayedon the personal computer 15. For example, a method may be used in which,at the point in time where the user account for the usage target system11 was registered, the manager sends, by e-mail, mail contents thatcontain a URL of page data constituting the registration screen, to thatuser's e-mail address, and the user that received this selects the URLfrom the mail contents, whereby the registration screen is provided tothe user.

In the same diagram, a user name input field 31 is a field for inputtingthe user name (user account) that uses the usage target system 11. Sincethe user account is already registered with the manager, a constructionmay be used in which the user does not have to input the user accountagain, and the user account is filled in into the user name input field31 in advance.

A group name input field 32 is a field for inputting a group name towhich the user belongs. However, in order to simplify explanations, inthe present embodiment it is not necessary to input the group name.

A mobile phone number input field 33 is a field for inputting individualidentification information for identifying the mobile phone 13 to beused in the user verification when using the usage target system 11. Inaccordance with the present embodiment, a mobile phone number, which hasbeen assigned to the mobile phone 13 owned by the user, is used. Notethat, a construction may be used in which the mobile phone 13 number isalso registered with the manager and filled in into the mobile phonenumber input field 33 in advance.

An overall pattern 34 is constituted by a button object, in which agroup of 48 elements are aligned in a 4-row, 12-column matrix shape.Each of the elements are given serial numbers from 1 to 48 as elementnames, in order to distinguish individual elements.

A position designation input field 35 is a field for designating andinputting one or more specific elements selected from the entire pattern34 by using their element names. In the present example, elements “1”,“17”, “33” and “48” have been inputted. In the case where a plurality ofelements are inputted, the individual elements are divided by adelimiter (e.g., a comma). Furthermore, the same elements may beinputted. Here, the sequence of inputted elements is the passwordderivation pattern. The sequence of elements can include a dummy “*”. Inthe case where the user inputs the dummy “*”, it is treated as a requestto set an optional character. Here, along with the conversion rule shownbelow, this dummy prevents a third party from extrapolating the passwordderivation pattern. That is, since the password derivation pattern has atendency toward a pattern that is easy for the user to remember, ameaningless character can be inserted between the characters thatconstitute the actual password, so as to prevent extrapolation. Forexample, in a sequence of 8 elements where the first 4 elements aredummies, the user can input meaningless numeric characters for the firstfour digits. Note that, when the user inputs only “F” into the positiondesignation input field 35, this is treated as a request to set a fixedpassword, and in such a case a predetermined number of digits of numericcharacters are inputted into a fixed password input field 37.

A conversion rule input field 36 is a field where, when the userreferences the presented pattern to actually input the password, if onewishes to give a further conversion rule for the element values derivedfrom the password derivation pattern, this conversion rule is inputtedhere. That is, the element values derived from the password derivationpattern undergo the additional conversion rule, and the result thereofbecomes the real password which should be inputted. In the conversionrule, for example, there is defined a 4-rule computational operation tobe performed on the element values derived from the password derivationpattern. More specifically, when just “+1” is inputted into theconversion rule input field 36, “1” is added to each of the elementvalues derived from the password derivation pattern, and the resultthereof becomes the real password that the user should input.Furthermore, when commas are used, as when “+1, +2, +3, +4” is inputtedinto the conversion rule input field 36, thus inputting thecomputational formula so as to correspond to the sequence of elementsinputted into the position designation input field 35, eachcomputational formula is applied to each of the element values derivedfrom the password derivation pattern, and the result thereof becomes thereal password which the user should input.

Note that, depending on the inputted computational formula, the resultproduced by performing the computation to the element values mayincrease (or decrease). In such cases, if a definition is made to usethe first position, then the number of digits (the number of characters)in the password can be a fixed set to a fixed length withoutfluctuating. Furthermore, it is also possible to set a definition sothat the result produced by applying the computations to the elementvalues is used just as it is, to enable a password of variable length.

In this type of registration screen, the user may use a keyboard todirectly input the elements (element names) in sequence using commas toseparate them, but a standard graphical user interface may also be usedto make inputs in a similar fashion. When using the graphical interface,the user places a mouse cursor on the desired elements and selects(clicks) on them, at which time these elements are displayed in theposition designation input field 35 separated by the delimiters. Theselected elements, for example, are preferably displayed visuallyseparated.

Note that, a candidate button 38 is for automatically generating thesequence of elements which should be selected. That is, when the userplaces the mouse cursor on and selects the candidate button 38, forexample a sequence of pre-registered elements is randomly inputted intothe position designation input field 35 and displayed. This is becausein the case where the user sets the password derivation pattern, theuser has a tendency to select neighboring buttons, and since these areeasy to extrapolate, this sort of situation should be avoided, and sothe candidate button 38 is provided in an auxiliary fashion.

After the user inputs the necessary information into the predeterminedinput fields, the user then selects a settings confirmation button 39,at which time a Web browser sends a registration request containing theinputted information to the verification server 12. The verificationserver 12, based on the received registration request, temporarilyregisters the user's password derivation pattern as the registrationdata, and displays a settings confirmation screen on the Web browser.

The settings confirmation screen is a screen for letting the useractually input the password in accordance with the password derivationpattern that was set by the user, so as to confirm the passwordderivation pattern. FIG. 4 shows an example of the settings confirmationscreen displayed on the personal computer 15. However, instead ofdisplaying on the personal computer 15, it is also possible to displaythe settings confirmation screen on the user's mobile phone 13, and havethe user confirm the settings from the mobile phone 13. In this case,when the user wants to use the usage target system 11, it is alsopossible to confirm the mobile phone 13 used by the user.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the settings confirmation screen, there ispresented a presented pattern 41, in which random numeric characters areplugged into each element group in the overall pattern 34 that wasgenerated by the verification server 12. As the password, the user theninputs into a password input field 42, those numeric characters (elementvalues) in the overall pattern 34 that have been plugged into theelements that correspond to the password derivation pattern which wasset just previously. After the user inputs the password into thepassword input field 42, the user then selects a Go button 43, at whichtime the Web browser sends to the verification server 12 theverification request containing the inputted password. The verificationserver 12 then judges whether or not the password contained in thereceived confirmation request matches the numeric character string thatwas derived from the generated presented pattern and the passwordderivation pattern that was temporarily registered just previously, andwhen they do match, formally registers the user's password derivationpattern into the verification database 14 as the registration data.

Note that, when this password derivation pattern registration procedureis performed using the personal computer 15, in order to confirm themobile phone 13 owned by the user, the verification server 12 preferablysends a predetermined message to the received mobile phone number, andthe user's response to the message is requested.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of data structures in theverification database 14. As shown in the diagram, one record in theverification database 14 is constituted by a system ID field 51, a useraccount field 52, a user ID field 53, a password derivation patternfield 54, and a conversion rule field 55. In the present example, a user“ogawa” is registered as a user who can use usage target systems 11indicated by system IDs “36578979” and “3657980”. Furthermore, themobile phone 13 which the user “ogawa” uses for user verification is setas the mobile phone 13 indicated by a user ID “090xxxx1234”.Furthermore, the password derivation pattern for the user “ogawa” whichhas been registered with the usage target system 11 indicated by thesystem ID “36578979” is set as “1, 17, 33, 48”, and the conversion ruleis set as “+1”.

Next, detailed explanation is given regarding processing flow of a userverification method for when the user tries to use the usage targetsystem 11. When the user actually tries to use the usage target system11, in order to obtain the system ID, the user operates the userinterface of the usage target system 11 to display the system ID. Forexample, when the user interface of the usage target system 11 isprovided with a “start usage” button, when the user operates the “startusage” button, the usage target system 11 displays a reception screensuch as shown in FIG. 6 in the user interface, and displays the systemID to the user and urges the user to input the user ID.

The user operates the mobile phone 13, designates a URL that has beenregistered as a so-called bookmark, access the verification server 12,displays a menu screen such as shown in FIG. 7, and then selects tostart the verification procedure, and displays a verification procedurestart screen such as shown in FIG. 8. The user inputs a system ID intothe verification procedure start screen, and selects the “OK” button.Note that, a construction may be used in which, when a fixed system IDis used, as in the present embodiment, the inputted system ID is can beregistered in the mobile phone 13.

Accordingly, the mobile phone 13 sends a verification procedure startmessage containing the system ID as a parameter to the verificationserver 12. At this time, the mobile phone 13 then sends to theverification server 12 the user ID, which is one example of useridentification information for identifying the user. The user ID may beinformation for identifying the user him- or herself, or may beinformation that identifies for example, the mobile phone or the likewhich the user owns or uses. In the present embodiment, the mobile phone13 sends the mobile phone number, which is an example of the informationfor identifying the mobile phone 13, to verification server 12 as theuser ID. The user ID may be included in the verification procedure startmessage as a parameter, or may be sent at the system level.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 14 are flowcharts for explaining processing flow at theverification server 12 in accordance with the present embodiment. In thefollowing flowcharts, the processing flows are explained sequentially,but such is not necessary. Therefore, provided no inconsistencies aregenerated in processing operations or effects, the processing sequencesmay be switched around or performed in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 9, the verification server 12 receives the verificationprocedure start message sent by the mobile phone 13, and then extractsthe system ID and the user ID therefrom (STEP 901). Next, since theverification server 12 is waiting for the user verification request fromthe usage target system 11 indicated by the extracted system ID, theverification server 12 issues an event ID, registers the extractedsystem ID and the user ID into a user verification request waiting tablesuch as shown in FIG. 10, and loads a process for executing processingshown in FIG. 14 (STEP 902). The user verification request waiting tableis registered in the verification database 14, for example.

Next, the verification server 12 calls up a predetermined random numbergenerating function, which issues random numeric characters to generatethe presented pattern (STEP 903). Considering the security risks, thepresented pattern is preferably a random number table whose elementvalues change each time the user verification is performed, but apresented pattern with fixed element values may be used as well, andthus is not intended to be excluded. When the verification server 12generates the presented pattern, the presented pattern is registeredinto the above-mentioned user verification request waiting table (STEP904), and is sent together with the user ID to the mobile phone 13 (STEP905). Accordingly, the mobile phone 13 displays a random number tabledisplay screen such as shown in FIG. 11.

The user, when the random number table display screen is displayed onthe mobile phone 13, inputs the user ID into the reception screen of theusage target system 11 shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 12 shows the receptionscreen in the state where the user ID has been inputted. When the userpresses the Enter key, the usage target system 11 displays the passwordinput screen such as shown in FIG. 13. In response to this, the userinputs the password derived from the password derivation pattern thathas already been registered. For example, the user's password derivationpattern may be the password derivation pattern that was registered inthe password derivation pattern registration screen shown in FIG. 3. Insuch a case, according to the random number table display screen shownin FIG. 11, “5910” is derived, and then this further undergoesapplication of the conversion rule “+1”, whereby deriving the password“6021”. The user then inputs the password that is thus derived, and thenpresses the enter key, at which time the usage target system 11 sendsthe password that was inputted (hereinafter, referred to as the“inputted password”) together with its own system ID to the verificationserver 12 as the user verification request.

The password that is sent from the usage target system 11 is used inuser verification by the verification server 12, in accordance with theflowchart shown in FIG. 14. That is, when the verification server 12that is waiting for the user verification request receives the userverification request from the usage target system 11 (Yes at STEP 1401),the verification server 12 references the user verification requestwaiting table shown in FIG. 10, and specifies the user ID (STEP 1402).Since registration into the user verification request waiting tablerequires the verification procedure start message from the mobile phone13, the user verification request from an unregistered usage targetsystem 11 can be excluded as illegitimate. When the verification server12 identifies the user ID, the verification server 12 references theverification database 14, and identifies the password derivation patternand conversion rule for that user ID (STEP 1403). Subsequently, theverification server 12, based on the identified password derivationpattern and conversion rule, derives the password (hereinafter, referredto as the “system internal password”), from the presented patternregistered in the user verification request waiting table (STEP 1404).Specifically, for the element group constituting the presented pattern,the verification server 12 obtains the element values corresponding tothe sequence of elements constituting the password derivation pattern,and furthermore, if the conversion rule has been defined, applies theconversion rule on the element values, and thus derives the systeminternal password. Next, the verification server 12 judges whether ornot the inputted password that was sent and the system internal passwordmatch each other (STEP 1405). Then, when it is judged that these domatch each other, the verification server 12 notifies verificationsuccess to the usage target system 11 indicated by the system ID (STEP1406). On the other hand, if they do not match, the verification server12 notifies verification failure (STEP 1407). The usage target system 11performs processing accordingly based on the verification resultnotified from the verification server 12.

As described above, the present embodiment provides the followingbenefits. Namely, the password which should be inputted when the user isgoing to use the usage target system 11, is temporarily determined fromthe presented pattern that is generated randomly each time the userverification is performed, in accordance with the password derivationpattern which is registered in advance. Therefore, even if the passwordinputted by the user leaks to a third party, the password itself isentirely meaningless the next time the user verification is performed,and thus illegitimate access can be prevented effectively. In this case,since the user remembers not “specific numeric characters” as in theconventional technique, but rather the “conceptual, diagrammatic”password derivation pattern instead as the “password”, the password iseasy to remember and difficult to forget, thus making passwordmanagement easy.

Furthermore, since the user can give the conversion rule for thispassword derivation pattern, higher level security can be pursued.

Furthermore, the verification server 12 receives the verificationprocedure start message from the user's mobile phone 13, and therebyreceives the user verification request from the usage target system 11designated therein, and thereby can prevent illegitimate access from theusage target system 11 unit.

Note that, the present embodiment is constructed such that the usagetarget system 11 displays the reception screen (FIG. 6) on the userinterface and urges the user to input the user ID, but this constructionis not particularly necessary. For example, a construction is alsopossible in which the usage target system 11 obtains information of alist of users able to use the verification server 12, and then displaysthis to the user as a pull-down menu, and urges input.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the system ID is a system IDthat is unique to the usage target system 11 (a unique system ID), butthe system ID may also be a shared system ID that is common to aplurality of usage target system 11. That is, a plurality of usagetarget systems 11 may have the same system ID. Accordingly, the usagetarget system 11, instead of registering the unique system ID of a givenusage target system 11 into the verification database 14 which isdescribed below, can use the shared ID to make the verification requestto the verification server 12, so that the user verification system canbe used easily.

In the case where the usage target system 11 uses the shared system IDmake the verification request, the verification server 12 may alsoprovide to that usage target system 11 a different service from theservice provided to the usage target system 11 having the unique systemID. Thus, the verification server 12 can send the user's personalinformation to the usage target system 11 that used the unique system IDto make the verification request, while not sending the user's personalinformation to the usage target system 11 that used the shared system IDto make the verification request, or in other similar ways can establishdifferences between the services provided to the usage target system 11using the unique system ID and the usage target system 11 using theshared system ID.

Second Embodiment

The present embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment. Insteadof the usage target system 11, the password is inputted from the mobilephone 13. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, instead of the fixedsystem ID, explanation is also given regarding an example that uses ausage ID which is generated anew each time the usage target system 11 isused.

FIG. 15 is a summary diagram for explaining an overall system of theuser verification method in accordance with the present embodiment.

First, the user uses the personal computer 15 to pre-register his or herown password derivation pattern or the usage target system 11 into theverification database 14 ((1) in the diagram). When the user tries toactually use the usage target system 11, in order to obtain the user ID,the user operates the user interface of the usage target system 11 todisplay the usage ID ((2) in the diagram).

The usage target system 11, for example, obtains information of the timewhen operations were performed, gives a random number generationfunction for this, randomly generates the usage ID, and displays the ID.At this time, the usage target system 11 sends the generated usage IDtogether with its own system ID to the verification server 12 ((3) inthe diagram).

Next, the user inputs the usage ID into the mobile phone 13 and sends tothe verification server 12 ((4) in the diagram). The verification server12 receives the usage ID, and then specifies the usage target system 11and also generates a random number table, which is then sent as thepresented pattern to the user's mobile phone 13 ((5) diagram). The userreferences the presented pattern that is presented on the mobile phone13, and inputs the sequence of element values (the numeric characterstring) plugged into the user's own password derivation pattern. Thus,the password is sent from the mobile phone 13 to the verification server12 ((6) in the diagram).

The verification server 12 receives this transmission and then comparesthe numeric character string obtained from the user's passwordderivation pattern that was registered and the generated presentedpattern, and the numeric character string that was sent from the mobilephone 13, and judges whether or not these numeric character stringsmatch each other. The verification server 12 then notifies verificationsuccess if they are judged as matching, or notifies verification failureif not, to the usage target system 11 that was specified ((7) in thediagram). The usage target system 11 gives access approval for the userwhen the notification for verification success is received from theverification server 12.

As described above, the present embodiment provides benefits similar tothose of the first embodiment, and also provides the following benefits.That is, since there is no need to input the password from the usagetarget system 11, the user interface of the usage target system 11 canbe made in a simple construction. Furthermore, since the new usage ID ismade each time the usage target system 11 is used, even when the usageID is leaked there is no problem whatsoever, thus enabling pursuit of ahigher level of security.

Third Embodiment

The present embodiment relates to a password derivation patternregistration method using the mobile phone 13, where the verificationserver 12 presents a password derivation pattern candidate on the mobilephone 13, and the user makes a selection from the presented passwordderivation pattern candidates.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a password derivation pattern registrationscreen displayed on the mobile phone 13. Similarly to theabove-mentioned embodiments, for example at the time when the useraccount for the usage target system 11 is registered, the verificationserver 12 uses an email to send mail content containing a URL of pagedata constituting this registration screen to the user's mobile phone13. The user, having received this transmission, selects the URL in themail content displayed on the mobile phone 13, whereby the registrationscreen is provided to the user's mobile phone 13.

That is, when the verification server 12 receives a password derivationpattern registration request from the user's mobile phone 13, theverification server 12 then selects one password derivation pattern asthe registration candidate from among a group of password derivationpatterns that have been pre-registered, and then sends this to themobile phone 13. Accordingly, the registration screen containing thepassword derivation pattern candidate, such as shown in FIG. 16A, ispresented on the user's mobile phone 13. When the user wishes toregister the password derivation pattern candidate shown in theregistration screen as his or her own password derivation pattern, theuser then selects a “Register” button 161. On the other hand, when theuser wishes to view another password derivation pattern candidate, theuser selects a “Next” button 162. When the user selects the “Next”button 162, the verification server 12 sends another candidate to themobile phone 13, and another registration screen containing the otherpassword derivation pattern, such as shown in FIG. 16B, is presented onthe mobile phone 13. If there is a previous password derivation patterncandidate, when the user wishes to view this the user selects a “Back”button 163.

For example, in the registration screen shown in FIG. 16B, when the userselects the “Register” button 161, the mobile phone 13 sends theregistration request to the verification server 12. The verificationserver 12, based on the received registration request, temporarilyregisters the user's password derivation pattern into the verificationdatabase 14 as the registration data, and sends the settingsconfirmation screen to the mobile phone 13. FIG. 17 is a diagram showingan example of the settings confirmation screen at this time. In apassword input field 171 in the settings confirmation screen, the userthen inputs the numeric characters (element values) that have beenassigned to the elements corresponding to the password derivationpattern that was set, and then selects an “OK” button 172. By doing so,the mobile phone 13 then sends a confirmation request containing theinputted password to the verification server 12. The verification server12 then judges whether or not the password contained in the receivedconfirmation request matches the numeric character string that isderived from the generated presented pattern and the password derivationpattern that has been temporarily registered. When the password doesmatch, the user's password derivation pattern is formally registered inthe verification database 14 as the registration data, and an indicationthat registration is complete is sent to the mobile phone 13.

As described above, in accordance with the present embodiment, since thedesired password derivation pattern is selected from the passwordderivation pattern candidates presented from the verification server 12,even when the user interface is insufficient as when using the mobilephone 13, the password derivation pattern can be registered extremelyeasily. Furthermore, by the verification server 12 displaying thepassword derivation pattern, it becomes possible to avoid the situationwhere the user registers as his or her password derivation pattern apassword derivation pattern that can be extrapolated easily, as whenadjacent elements are selected.

Fourth Embodiment

The present embodiment relates to a password derivation patternregistration method using the mobile phone 13, where inputs of theelement values corresponding to the password derivation pattern intendedby the user are repeated, whereby the password derivation pattern getsspecified.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart for explaining processing flow of the passwordderivation pattern registration method in accordance with the presentembodiment. This processing is achieved by corresponding programs in aclient/server model using the mobile phone 13 and the verificationserver 12. In the present embodiment, page data containing a specificprogram for achieving this type of processing is sent from theverification server 12 to the mobile phone 13, and this program isexecuted on the mobile phone 13 to achieve the invention.

Similarly to the above-mentioned embodiments, for example at the pointin time where the user account for the usage target system 11 isregistered, the verification server 12 uses email to send mail contentcontaining a URL of page data constituting the registration screen tothe user's mobile phone 13. The user, having received this transmission,selects the URL from the mail content displayed on the mobile phone 13.Accordingly, the verification server 12 sends page data containing thepredetermined program to the mobile phone 13.

The mobile phone 13, having received the page data, interprets the pagedata, executes processing shown in FIG. 18 in accordance with thepredetermined program contained there, and displays the registrationscreen. That is, the mobile phone 13, first, for the entire pattern 34element group, assigns random numbers generated using the random numbergeneration function to generate the presented pattern, and displays thisas a password derivation pattern combined with other screen elements,and urges the user to make an input (STEP 1801). In the registrationscreen, the user inputs numeric characters assigned to the elements inthe password derivation pattern which the user is trying to register.When the mobile phone 13 receives the element sequence from the user(STEP 1802), the elements having the inputted element values areextracted from the presented pattern as the element values, and thequantity thereof is held (STEP 1803). Next, the mobile phone 13 judgeswhether or not the number of the extracted elements and the number ofthe inputted elements are the same (STEP 1804). If it is judged thatthey are not the same, in order to narrow down the elements, the randomnumbers are assigned only to the extracted elements in the overallpattern 34 to generate the presented pattern is generated, and,similarly, this presented pattern is presented as the registrationscreen and the user is urged to make an input (STEP 1805). On the otherhand when it is judged that the number of the extracted elements and thenumber of the inputted elements are the same, it is considered that theelements have been narrowed down, so the mobile phone displays aregistration confirmation screen, and urges the user to confirm (STEP1806). Then, when the user presses an “OK” button, for example (Yes atSTEP 1806), the mobile phone 13, in order to register the elementsequence as the password derivation pattern, sends a registrationrequest to the verification server 12 (STEP 1806), thus the processingends.

In this way, by repeating the input of the element values correspondingto the password derivation pattern which the user wishes to register,the elements of the presented pattern get narrowed down, and thepassword derivation pattern intended by the user gets specified.

FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, are examples of screens for explaining the passwordderivation pattern registration method. First, it is assumed that thescreen shown in FIG. 19A is displayed on the mobile phone 13. Here, whenthe user inputs “9893” into the screen, the mobile phone 13 generates anew presented pattern based on the sequence of inputted elements. Thatis, the mobile phone 13 extracts the elements whose values were “9”, “8”or “3” from the elements in the previous presented pattern as the givenelements. However, in this case, the number of the given extractedelements has not been narrowed down as far as the number of inputtedelements, so the mobile phone 13 generates the new presented patternwith the random numbers assigned to the extracted elements, and displaysa registration screen such as shown in FIG. 19B.

In this screen, the user re-inputs the numeric characters assigned tothe elements in the password derivation pattern which the user is tryingto register, and thus carries out the task of narrowing down the givenextracted elements. In this case, the numeric characters which the usershould input are “6541”. If the given extracted elements cannot benarrowed down, then the mobile phone 13 generates a new passwordderivation pattern, and then displays a registration screen such asshown in FIG. 19C and urges the user to make an input. Here, in thisscreen, the user inputs the numeric characters “8501” which have beenassigned to the elements in the password derivation pattern which theuser is trying to register.

Since these inputs narrow down the extracted elements, the mobile phone13 displays a registration confirmation screen such as shown in FIG. 20,and urges the user to confirm (STEP 1806). When the user selects an “OK”button 201 in this screen, the mobile phone 13 sends the elementsequence to the verification server 12 as the password derivationpattern. On the other hand, when the user selects a “Redo” button 202,the mobile phone 13 redoes the password derivation pattern registrationprocessing from the beginning.

As described above, in accordance with the present embodiment, thepresenting of the presented pattern and the inputting of the elementvalues corresponding to the password derivation pattern which the useris trying to register, are repeated to narrow down the elements of thepresented pattern. As such, the password derivation pattern intended bythe user can get specified. Therefore, even in the case where the userinterface is insufficient, as in the case of the mobile phone 13, thepassword derivation pattern can be registered extremely easily.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the operations for registeringthe password derivation pattern are performed in the same sequence asthe actual password input operations, so the user can also practiceinputting, and can quickly learn the password derivation pattern withoutfail.

Note that, in the present invention, the presented pattern is generatedrandomly to narrow down the elements intended by the user. As such,depending on the combination of presented patterns that are generated,there are cases where the narrowing down task is required three times ormore. In order to avoid such a situation, it is also possible to use afixed presented pattern combination by which the narrowing down taskwill definitely end in two times.

Fifth Embodiment

In the present embodiment, instead of the fixed user ID for the userverification, temporary identification information for temporarilyidentifying the user is generated.

FIG. 21 is a summary diagram for explaining an overall scheme of a userverification method in accordance with the present embodiment. First,the user uses the personal computer 15 to pre-register his or her ownpassword derivation pattern for the usage target system 11 into theverification database 14 ((1) in the diagram). When the user is actuallygoing to use the usage target system 11, in order to obtain the systemID the user operates the user interface of the usage target system 11 todisplay the system ID ((2) in the diagram).

Next, the user inputs the system ID into the mobile phone 13, and sendsto the verification server 12 ((3) in the diagram. The verificationserver 12 receives the transmission, generates the random number table(which, in the present embodiment, is random number information in a4-row-by-4-column or 4-row-by-12-column matrix form), and sends thistable as the presented pattern to the user's mobile phone 13, and alsogenerates temporary information which is for temporarily identifying theuser and is associated with the user ID, and sends this information tothe user's mobile phone 13 ((4) in the diagram). The user references thetemporary information and the presented pattern which are presented onthe mobile phone 13, and inputs into the usage target system 11 both thetemporary information and, as the password, the element sequence(numeric character string) which has been assigned to the user's ownpassword derivation pattern. Accordingly, the usage target system 11sends the temporary information and the password to the verificationserver 12 ((5) in the diagram).

The verification server 12 receives the temporary information and thepassword from the usage target system 11, and then identifies the userfrom the temporary information, and then compares the numeric characterstring obtained from the user's password derivation pattern which hasalready been registered and the generated presented pattern, and thepassword that was sent from the usage target system 11, to judge whetherthese match each other. The verification server 12 then notifiesverification success and per-system user identification informationdescribed below when they are judged as matching, and notifiesverification failure when they are judged as not matching, to the usagetarget system 11 indicated by the system ID ((6) in the diagram). Theusage target system 11 gives approval for usage of that usage targetsystem 11 to that user when the notification of verification successfrom the verification server 12 is received.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of data structures in theverification database 14. As shown in FIG. 22, one record in theverification database 14 includes a system ID field 51, a user accountfield 52, a user ID field 53, a password derivation pattern field 54, atemporary identification information field 56, and a per-system useridentification information field 57. In the present example, a user“ogawa” is registered as a user who can use usage target systems 11indicated by system IDs “36578979”, “3657980” and “36578981”.Furthermore, the mobile phone 13 which the user “ogawa” uses for userverification is set as the mobile phone 13 indicated by a user ID“090xxxx1234”. Furthermore, the password derivation pattern for the user“ogawa” which has been registered with the usage target system 11indicated by the system ID “36578979” is set as “1, 17, 33, 48”.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a user verification requestwaiting table (cf. first embodiment). In the present embodiment, theuser verification request waiting table includes an event ID field 100,a system ID field 101, a user ID field 102, a presented pattern field103, and a temporary identification information field 104.

FIG. 24 through FIG. 26 are flowcharts for explaining processing flow atthe verification server 12 in accordance with the present embodiment. Inthe following flowcharts, the processing flows are explainedsequentially, but restriction is not particularly made to thisprocessing flow. Therefore, the processing flow may be constructed withthe processing sequences switched around or performed in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 24, the verification server 12 receives theverification procedure start message sent by the mobile phone 13, andthen extracts the system ID and the user ID therefrom (STEP 2000). Next,since the verification server 12 is waiting for the user verificationrequest from the usage target system 11 indicated by the extractedsystem ID, the verification server 12 issues an event ID, and registersthe extracted system ID and the user ID into a user verification requestwaiting table such as shown in FIG. 23.

Next, the verification server 12 judges whether or not the temporaryidentification information is necessary for the user to use the usagetarget system 11 (STEP 2002). The verification server 12 preferablyjudges whether or not to generate the temporary identificationinformation based on a request form the user. For example, theverification server 12 may notify the user's mobile phone 13 so as torequest information about whether or not the user will use the temporaryidentification information in the usage target system 11. Then, theverification server 12 judges whether or not to generate the temporaryidentification information based on the information received via themobile phone 13 from the user.

Furthermore, the verification server 12 may pre-register informationshowing whether or not the temporary identification information will beused for the usage target system 11 that the user will use. In such acase, the verification server 12 judges whether or not to generate thetemporary identification information based on the pre-registeredinformation, the system ID and the user ID. The information showingwhether or not the temporary identification information will be used maybe pre-registered for example when the user is registered, or at anytime after the user is registered.

In the case where the verification server 12 judges that the temporaryidentification information is not necessary for the usage target system11 (No at STEP 2002), the verification server 12 then calls up apredetermined random number generating function, and generates randomnumbers to generate the presented pattern (STEP 2012). When theverification server 12 generates the presented pattern, the presentedpattern is registered into the user verification request waiting tablethat is described above (STEP 2014). Next, the verification server 12sends the presented pattern to the user's mobile phone 13 (STEP 2018).

When the verification server 12 judges that the temporary information isnecessary for the usage target system 11 (Yes at STEP 2002), theverification server 12 then judges whether or not the temporaryidentification information is already registered for the usage targetsystem 11 (STEP 2004). Then, when the verification server 12 judges thatthe temporary identification information has not been registered (No atSTEP 2004), new temporary identification information is generated (STEP2010). The temporary identification information is preferablyinformation generated for example by a random number function, having norelationship to the user ID.

When the verification server 12 judges that the temporary identificationinformation has already been registered (Yes at STEP 2004), based onsuch things as the amount of time elapsed since that temporaryidentification information was generated and the number of times thattemporary identification information has been received at the server 12,the verification server 12 then judges whether or not that temporaryidentification information is valid (STEP 2006). Then, when theverification server 12 judges that the temporary identificationinformation is not valid (No at STEP 2006), the temporary identificationinformation is expunged (STEP 2008), and a new temporary identificationinformation is generated (STEP 2010). Then, the verification server 12registers the newly generated temporary identification information intothe verification database 14 and the verification request waiting table(STEP 2011). In the present embodiment, the verification server 12generates “6584” as the temporary identification informationcorresponding to the user ID “090xxxx1234”, and registers this into theverification database 14 and the verification request waiting table (seeFIG. 22 and FIG. 23).

Next, the verification server 12 calls up the predetermined randomnumber generating function, and generates random numeric characters togenerate the presented pattern (STEP 2012). When the verification server12 generates the presented pattern, the verification server 12 registersthe presented pattern into the user verification request waiting table(STEP 2014). Then, the verification server 12 sends the temporaryidentification information and the presented pattern to the user'smobile phone 13 (STEP 2016). When the temporary identificationinformation and the presented pattern are sent to the mobile phone 13,the verification server 12 waits for the user verification request fromthe usage target system 11.

In the present embodiment, the verification server 12 responds to theverification start message from the user by judging the validity of thetemporary identification information that has already been registered,based on such things as the duration of time elapsed since thattemporary identification information was generated and the number oftimes that the temporary identification information has been received atthe server 12, but the verification server 12 may also judge thevalidity of the temporary identification information independently fromthe processing flow explained in the present diagrams.

As shown in FIG. 25, when the verification server 12 which is waitingfor the user verification request receives the user verification requestfrom the usage target system 11 (Yes at STEP 2100), the verificationserver 12 uses the temporary identification information and the systemID to reference the user verification request waiting table shown inFIG. 23 and identifies the user ID (STEP 2102). The verification server12, having identified the user ID, then references the verificationdatabase 14, and based on the password derivation pattern for that userID, derives the system internal password from the presented pattern(STEP 2104). In this case, the verification server 12 may use apredetermined conversion rule as in the first embodiment to derive thesystem internal password from the presented pattern.

Next, the verification server 12 judges whether or not the inputtedpassword that was sent, and the system internal password, match eachother (STEP 2106). Then, in the case where the verification server 12judges that the two passwords do match each other, the verificationserver 12 then notifies the verification success to the usage targetsystem 11 indicated by the system ID (STEP 2108), but if the twopasswords do not match each other, then the verification failure isnotified (STEP 2110). The usage target system 11 then performsprocessing which depends on the verification result notified from theverification server 12.

In the present embodiment, since the temporary identificationinformation is used instead of the user ID, even when the user IDincludes for example the mobile phone number or other such informationthat could possibly identify the user, the user verification processingcan be constituted without leaking this information to the usage targetsystem 11. Accordingly, even when using the usage target system 11 for aquestionnaire or the like where it is not necessary to identify theuser, or when one does not wish to disclose personal information,anonymity can be secured and the system can be used with peace of mind.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing processing in which the verificationserver 12 sends the per-system user identification information to theusage target system 11. When the user inputs the temporaryidentification information into the usage target system 11 and the usagetarget system 11 gives approval for usage to that user, the verificationserver 12 then sends to the usage target system 11 the per-system useridentification information that corresponds to the user ID and the usagetarget system 11 (system ID). In this case, the per-system useridentification information is preferably fixed information thatdistinguishes each of the users per target system 11.

The verification server 12 receives the per-system user identificationinformation request from the usage target system 11 (STEP 2200). Then,when the per-system user identification information request has beenreceived from the usage target system 11 (Yes at STEP 2200), theverification server 12 confirms whether the per-system useridentification information for the usage target system 11 has beenregistered in the verification database 14 (STEP 2202). Then, in thecase where the per-system user identification information for the usagetarget system 11 has not already been registered in the verificationdatabase 14, the verification server 12 generates the per-system useridentification information for the usage target system 11 (STEP 2204)and registers this into the verification database 14 (STEP 2206). In thepresent embodiment, the verification server 12 generates “125897” as theper-system user identification information for the usage target system11 (system ID “36578980”) of the user (user ID “090xxxx1234”), andregisters this identification information into the verification database14. Note that, for the system IDs “36578979” and “36578981”, theper-system user identification information “125896” and “125898” havebeen pre-registered into the verification database 14.

Next, the verification server 12 sends the per-system useridentification information to the usage target system 11 (STEP 2208). Inthis case, when the verification server 12 has for example the user'susage target system 11 usage frequency, which is user information forthe usage target system 11, the verification server 12 may also sendthis information. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, theverification server 12 sends the per-system user identificationinformation to the usage target system 11, but instead of this it isalso possible to send the temporary identification information as theper-system user identification information to the usage target system11.

In the present embodiment, the verification server 12 provides theper-system user identification information to the usage target system11, whereby the usage target system 11 can specify the user using theusage target system 11. That is, even in the case were the user uses thetemporary identification information, the usage target system 11 canjudge the identity of the user. Accordingly, the usage target system 11can have information such as whether that user is a user who previouslyused the usage target system 11, or the like. That is, the usage targetsystem 11 can use the per-system user identification information tobuild the data for the user information in the usage target system 11,to provide service adapted for each user.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing the processing (S2204 in FIG. 26) forgenerating the per-system user identification information. First, theverification server 12 generates the random number conversion table(STEP 2300). The random number conversion table is preferably generatedaccording to the letters, numerals and other numeric characters includedin the per-system user identification information that was generated.For example, in a case where the per-system user identificationinformation is constituted by an M-digit numeric character string (whereM is a natural number), the random number conversion table may be arandom number conversion table for making a 1-to-1 conversion of theM-digit numeric character string into a different M-digit numericcharacter string (of random numbers) that is different. In other words,this is a random number table for converting each M-digit numericcharacter string (the number of which is M-plex) into a differentM-digit numeric character string (the number of which is M-plex). In thepresent embodiment, the per-system user identification information thatis generated is constituted of a 6-digit numeric character string, andso a random number table having 1,000,000 different 1-to-1 conversionpatterns generated. The server 12 preferably uses the same random numbertable for each user. That is, in a case where the random number tablehas already been generated, the present step may be omitted.

The per-system user identification information may also be constitutedby a numeric character string having the same number of digits as theuser ID, or may be constituted with a different number of digits.Furthermore, the random number conversion table is preferably registeredin the verification database 14.

Next, the verification server 12 generates the per user internalidentification ID for identifying the user within the verificationserver 12. The per user internal identification ID preferably is notnotified to the user and the usage target system 11. In the presentembodiment, the per user internal identification ID is a numericcharacter string having the same number of digits as the user ID, but itmay also be a numeric character string having a different number ofdigits from the user ID. The per user internal identification ID ispreferably registered in the verification database 14.

Next, the verification server 12 generates a per system conversion tablefor each usage target system 11 (STEP 2304). The per system conversiontables preferably are not notified to the usage target systems 11. Theper system conversion table may be a numeral-conversion-table thatconverts predetermined numerals included in a predetermined numericcharacter string into other numerals, or may be adigit-position-conversion-table that switches around a predeterminednumber of digits of numerals with another predetermined number of digitsof numerals in a numeric character string having a predetermined numberof digits with other, or may be a number-of-digits-conversion-table thatchanges the number of digits in the numeric character string by deletinga predetermined number of digits of numerals from or inserting apredetermined number of numerals into a numeric character string havinga predetermined number of digits. In this case, the conversion ispreferably performed such that at least within the same usage targetsystem 11 there is no overlap in the results produced by converting thenumber of digits. The per system conversion table is preferablyregistered in the conversion table.

Next, the verification server 12 generates, for each usage target system11, a per system internal identification ID for identifying the usagetarget system 11 within the verification server 12 (STEP 2306). The persystem internal identification ID preferably is not notified to the userand the usage target system 11. In the present embodiment, the persystem internal identification ID is a numeric character string havingthe same number of digits as the user ID, but it may also be a numericcharacter string having a different number of digits from the user ID.The per system internal identification ID is preferably registered inthe verification database 14.

Next, the verification server 12 adds the per system internalidentification ID to the per user internal identification ID (STEP2308). By adding the internal identification ID generated for each userto the internal identification ID generated for each usage target system11, the security level can be raised. In a case where adding the figureat predetermined digit of the per user internal identification ID to thefigure at predetermined digit of the per system internal identificationID increases the number of characters at the predetermined digits, theverification server 12 may perform processing to delete the charactersin the increased digits, so that the number of digits of charactersafter the adding does not exceed the number of digits in the per userinternal identification ID and the per system internal identificationID. Furthermore, the verification server 12 may add the per userinternal identification ID and the per system internal identificationID, so as to calculate a numeric character string having a differentnumber of digits than the per user internal identification ID and/or theper system internal identification ID. The verification server 12 mayalso do computations of per user internal identification ID and the persystem internal identification ID by subtraction, multiplication,division, or other computational method.

Next, the verification server 12 uses the above-mentioned per systemconversion table to convert the computational result from STEP 2308(STEP 2310). In the present embodiment, the verification server 12converts the addition result from STEP 2308 by using thedigit-position-conversion-table. Then, the verification server 12 usesthe number-of-digits-conversion-table to convert the addition resultproduced by the converting the digit positions, into the 6-digit numericcharacter string, which is the number of digits contained in the randomnumber conversion table.

Next, the verification server 12 uses the above-mentioned random numberconversion table to further convert the conversion result produced atSTEP 2310 (STEP 2312). In the present embodiment, the verificationserver 12 converts the conversion result from STEP 2310 into a 6-digitnumeric character string (of random numbers), which is the same numberof digits as the conversion result. By using the random numberconversion table to perform the conversion, it becomes difficult toanalyze the conversion result, thus enabling the security level to beraised.

Next, the verification server 12 uses the above-mentioned per systemconversion table to further convert the result of the conversion thatwas produced at STEP 2312 (STEP 2314). In the present embodiment, theverification server 12 converts the conversion result from STEP 2312 bymeans of the numerical conversion table, and thus obtains per-systemuser identification information. Accordingly, the security level can beraised further.

In the present embodiment, for each user, and for each usage targetsystem 11, there is prepared a different internal identification ID andconversion table, and since conversions are performed based thereupon,the security level can be raised further.

In particular, in the present embodiment the conversions are performedbased on the random number conversion table, so it is extremelydifficult to use the conversion result to obtain the information frombefore the conversion. That is, from the conversion result is it isextremely difficult to identify the user's personal information, andthus the security level can be raised even higher. Furthermore, becauseof this, for each usage target system 11, different per-system useridentification information can be generated. Moreover, for predeterminedusers, the identification information (the per-system useridentification information) is generated for each usage target system11, whereby across a plurality of usage target systems 11, one can beprevented from using information that is sent from the verificationserver 12 compare the user information or the like, thus preventingsharing of information across usage target systems 11.

Sixth Embodiment

The present embodiment relates to a method of verifying the passwordinputted from the usage target system 11. Hereinafter, explanation isgiven regarding the password verification method in accordance with thepresent embodiment, using an example in which the password inputted intothe usage target system 11, matches a numeric character stringcontaining a predetermined numeric character, at a predetermined digitof the system internal password.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a password verification method. First,the verification server 12 receives the password inputted from the usagetarget system 11 (Yes at STEP 2400), and then compares the inputtedpassword and the system internal password (STEP 2402). When the inputtedpassword and the system internal password match each other (Yes at STEP2404), the verification server 12 then notifies the usage target system11 that the verification has succeeded (STEP 2406).

When the inputted password and the system internal password do not match(No at STEP 2404), the verification server 12 compares the inputtedpassword and the system internal password (STEP 2408). In the presentembodiment, the verification server 12 compares the number of digits inthe inputted password and the number of digits in the system internalpassword (STEP 2410). Then, when the number of digits in the inputtedpassword and the number of digits in the system internal password match(No at STEP 2410), the verification server 12 notifies the usage targetsystem 11 that the verification has failed (STEP 2412).

The password given as an example in the present embodiment is “45871”,and the system internal password is “4587”. That is, the verificationserver 12 judges that the inputted password and the system internalpassword do not match each other, and also judges that they havedifferent numbers of digits, respectively.

When the number of digits in the inputted password and the number ofdigits in the system internal password are different (Yes at STEP 2410),the verification server 12 then deletes the numeric character includedat a designated position, which is a predetermined position, in theinputted password (STEP 2414). In the present embodiment, thepredetermined position is the “1”digit, which is the digit furthest tothe right, and the verification server 12 deletes the numeric character“1” from the “1”digit in the inputted password “45871”, thus obtaining“4587”. That is, from the inputted password having five digits, thepredetermined number of numeric characters is deleted, whereby obtainingthe 4-digit password.

The designated position in the password is preferably registeredbeforehand in the verification database 14. The designated position maybe determined in correspondence with each usage target system 11. In thepresent embodiment, the designated position in the password isregistered beforehand into the verification server 12, and theverification server 12 reads out the “1”digit as the designated positionfrom the verification database 14, and deletes the numeric character inthe “1”digit of the inputted password.

Next, the verification server 12 judges whether or not the inputtedpassword after the predetermined numeric character has been deleted, andthe system internal password, match each other (STEP 2416). Then, whenit is judged that there is no match (No at STEP 2416), the verificationserver 12 notifies the usage target system 11 that the verification hasfailed (STEP 2412).

When the verification server 12 has judged that the inputted passwordwith the predetermined numeric character deleted, and the systeminternal password, do match each other (Yes at STEP 2416), theverification server 12 notifies the usage target system 11 that theverification has succeeded, and that predetermined processing is to beperformed (STEP 2418). Hereinafter, explanation is given regarding amethod by which the verification server 12 judges the processing thatshould be notified to the usage target system 11.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a function code database, where processingnotified to the used target system 11 is associated with a function codethat corresponds to that processing and is constituted of predeterminedcharacters. In this way, the verification server 12 links, andpre-registers, a function code which should be included in thedesignated position of the password inputted to the verificationdatabase 14, and processing that should be notified to the used targetsystem 11. Then, the verification server 12, based on deleted charactersincluded in the designated position of the inputted password, extractsthe processing that should be notified to the used target system 11 fromthe function code database, and notifies this to the used target system11. A plurality of designated positions may be designated for onepassword. Furthermore, the function code may be multi-digit numericcharacters, or may be text or pictorial text or the other suchcharacters.

For example, in a case where the deleted character is “0”, theverification server 12 notifies the used target system 11 that this isfor practice. Then, the used target system 11 provides the user with aservice for practicing. Furthermore, when the deleted character is “2”,the verification server 12 notifies the used target system 11 that anemergency situation has occurred. Then, the used target system 11, forexample, notifies the police or the like, or locks the user ID, thetemporary identification information and the per-system useridentification information, or performs other such processing.Furthermore, in a case where the used target system 11 is a bank system,and the user verification has already been performed so that the usercan make a deposit in a predetermined account, zero yen may be set asthe amount of the account deposit, or the like may be performed tocreate an appearance that an amount of money designated by the user hasbeen deposited, by displaying a dummy screen on the screen of the usedtarget system 11. Accordingly, even in a case where, for example, a useris threatened into using the used target system 11, the user can informthe verification server 12 and the used target system 11 that anemergency situation has occurred, without being noticed by the otherperson.

Furthermore, in a case where the deleted character is 9, theverification server 12 references the function code database, judgesthat the deleted character is a dummy, and notifies the used targetsystem 11 that the user verification has succeeded. In this case, theverification server 12 may also notify the used target system 11 thatthe dummy was included as the function code.

In the present embodiment, the inputted password is “45871”, and thesystem internal password is “4587”. Therefore, the verification server12 extracts the numeral “1” as the designated character. Then, theverification server 12 references the function code database included inthe verification database 14, and notifies the used target system 11that the confirmation has succeeded and that it is for reading only.Then, the used target system 11 provides read only services to the user.The read only services are, for example, showing a bank account balance,viewing message boards, and other such services. Accordingly, the usercan obtain a read-only password that only enables the user to view theaccount balance, for example, and which is generated each time the userverification is performed, and enables the user to request anotherperson to use the password to let another person view the accountbalance, without the other person knowing that that password is forreading only.

In accordance with the present embodiment, by including thepredetermined characters in the password, the user can request theverification server 12 and/or the used target system 11 forpredetermined processing, without another person knowing. Furthermore,by including the predetermined character in the password, simply byinputting the password, the verification server 12 and/or the usedtarget system 11 can be requested to perform multiple processing.Furthermore, in accordance with the present embodiment, by including thepredetermined characters in the password, the number of digits of theinputted password increases, and thus the security level of the passwordcan be raised further.

Seventh Embodiment

The present embodiment relates to a verification method in which someoneother than the user inputs the password from the used target system 11to perform verification of the user.

FIG. 30 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an overall scheme of theuser verification method in accordance with the present embodiment.First, the user uses the personal computer 15, and pre-registers his orher own password derivation pattern for the used target system 11, alongwith the personal information that is necessary for using the usedtarget system 11, into the verification database 14 ((1) in the diagram.The user then obtains the system ID of the used target system 11 from aconfirmer who will try to use the used target system 11 to confirm theidentity of the user him- or herself ((2) in the diagram). For example,the user obtains the confirmer's ID for the used target system 11, viatelevision, radio, magazine, or other information medium.

Next, the user inputs that system ID into the mobile phone 13, and sendsto the verification server 12 ((3) in the diagram). The verificationserver 12 receives this transmission, generates the random number table,and sends this to the user's mobile phone 13 as the presented pattern((4) in the diagram). At this time, the verification server 12 may sendthe temporary information to the user's mobile phone 13. The userreferences the presented pattern displayed on the mobile phone 13, andthen derives the element value sequence (password) assigned to theuser's own password derivation pattern, and notifies this to theconfirmer ((5) in the diagram). For example, the user may use atelephone, electronic mail or other information transmission means tonotify the password to the confirmer. At this time, the user may alsoinform the temporary identification information to the confirmer. Theconfirmer inputs the password and/or the temporary identificationinformation that were notified form the user. Accordingly, the usedtarget system 11 sends the inputted password and/or the temporaryidentification information to the verification server 12 ((6) in thediagram).

The verification server 12 receives the password from the used targetsystem 11, and then compares the numeric character string obtained fromthe user's password derivation pattern which is already registered andthe presented pattern that was generated, against the password that wassent form the used target system 11, to judge whether these match eachother. The verification server 12 then notifies verification successwhen they do match, and verification failure otherwise, to the usedtarget system 11 indicated by the system ID ((7) in the diagram). Then,in the case of the user confirmation success, the confirmer then usesthe used target system 11 to obtain from the verification server 12 thenecessary personal information for that user.

In the present embodiment, the “confirmer” is, for example, a telephoneshopping company, a hotel professional who has received a reservationfor lodgings, a real estate professional who has received a request torent, issuers of various types of personal identification documentation,a credit company giving credit or settling an account, a doctor performa medical consultation, or the like. Furthermore, the “necessarypersonal information” is, for example, the user's address, telephonenumber, credit card number, savings account, medical records, medicalfiles, resume, place of work, or other such information relating theuser. The user may restrict the personal information that is opened tothe confirmer using the used target system 11. For example, when theuser sends the system ID from the mobile phone 13 to the verificationserver 12, the user can input a code to restrict disclosure of thepersonal information and send this to the verification server 12.

The present invention provides the new user verification method andsystem for achieving the same, which effectively prevent illegitimateaccess to a system by a third party.

Furthermore, the present invention can provide the user verificationmethod and the system for achieving the same, which maximally utilizeexisting system infrastructure, without incurring extra cost burdens.

Furthermore, the present invention can provide the user verificationmethod and the system for achieving the same, which can effectivelyprevent the illegitimate access to the system by the third party, whileon the other hand facilitating password management by the user and beingconvenient to use for every user.

1.-26. (canceled)
 27. A method of verifying a use, performed by averification server, the method comprising: registering personalinformation of a user for using a usage target system; receiving, via asecond communication channel, system identification information of theusage target system and a restriction code from an information terminaldevice owned by a user; generating an internal system password for theusage target system; receiving, via a first communication channel, aplurality of characters from the usage target system, the plurality ofcharacters being inputted by a user into the usage target system;determining whether the plurality of characters are legitimate based onthe internal system password and the system identification information;sending, via the first communication channel, a result of thedetermination made to the usage target system; restricting the personalinformation of the user to be provided to the usage target system basedon the restriction code; and sending, via the first communicationchannel, the restricted personal information to the usage target system.28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising: registering apassword derivation pattern for a usage target system, the passwordderivation pattern being based on at least one specific element selectedfrom a plurality of elements constituting a predetermined pattern;generating a presentation pattern in which a plurality of predeterminedcharacters are assigned to a plurality of elements constituting thepredetermined pattern; and sending, via a second communication channel,the presentation pattern to an information terminal device to cause theinformation terminal device to display a screen containing thepresentation pattern thereon and thereby to allow the user to input theplurality of characters assigned to the at least one specific elementcorresponding to the password derivation pattern into the usage targetsystem, wherein the generating of the internal system password is basedon the password derivation pattern and the presentation pattern.
 29. Themethod according to claim 28, further comprising: generating temporaryidentification information which is assigned to user identificationinformation for identifying the user; and sending the temporaryidentification information and the presentation pattern to theinformation terminal device.
 30. The method according to claim 29,further comprising: receiving the temporary identification informationfrom the usage target system; and identifying the internal systempassword of the user in accordance with the temporary identificationinformation.
 31. A verification server configured to communicate with ausage target system via a first communication channel and an informationterminal device via a second communication channel, the verificationserver comprising: a unit for registering personal information of a userfor using a usage target system; a unit for receiving, via the secondcommunication channel, system identification information of the usagetarget system and a restriction code from an information terminal deviceowned by a use; a unit for generating an internal system password forthe usage target system; a unit for receiving, via the firstcommunication channel, a plurality of characters from the usage targetsystem, the plurality of characters being inputted by a user into theusage target system; a unit for determining whether—the plurality ofcharacters are legitimate based on the internal system password and thesystem identification information; a unit for sending, via the firstcommunication channel, a result of the determination made to the usagetarget system; a unit for restricting the personal information of theuser to be provided to the usage target system based on the restrictioncode; and a unit for sending, via the first communication channel, therestricted personal information to the usage target system.
 32. Theverification server according to claim 31, further comprising: a unitfor registering a password derivation pattern for a usage target system,the password derivation pattern being based on at least one specificelement selected from a plurality of elements constituting apredetermined pattern; a unit for generating a presentation pattern inwhich a plurality of predetermined characters are assigned to aplurality of elements constituting the predetermined pattern; and a unitfor sending, via the second communication channel, the presentationpattern to an information terminal device to cause the informationterminal device to display a screen containing the presentation patternthereon and thereby to allow the user to input the plurality ofcharacters assigned to the at least one specific element correspondingto the password derivation pattern into the usage target system, whereinthe generating of the internal system password is based on the passwordderivation pattern and the presentation pattern.
 33. The verificationserver according to claim 32, further comprising: a unit for generatingtemporary identification information which is assigned to useridentification information for identifying the user; and a unit forsending the temporary identification information and the presentationpattern to the information terminal device.
 34. The verification serveraccording to claim 33, further comprising: a unit for receiving thetemporary identification information from the usage target system; and aunit for identifying the internal system password of the user inaccordance with the temporary identification information.
 35. A methodof verifying a use, performed by a verification server, the methodcomprising: generating an internal system password for a usage targetsystem; receiving, via a first communication channel, a plurality ofcharacters from the usage target system, the plurality of charactersbeing inputted by a user into the usage target system; comparing thenumber of characters of the received plurality of characters with thenumber of characters of the internal system password; if the number ofcharacters of the received plurality of characters and the number ofcharacters of the internal system password are different, deleting atleast one character at a predetermined position from the receivedplurality of characters to generate a user password; determining whetherthe user password is legitimate based on the internal system password;and sending, via the first communication channel, a result of thedetermination made to the usage target system.
 36. The method accordingto claim 35, further comprising: registering a password registering apassword derivation pattern for a usage target system, the passwordderivation pattern being based on at least one specific element selectedfrom a plurality of elements constituting a predetermined pattern;generating a presentation pattern in which a plurality of predeterminedcharacters are assigned to a plurality of elements constituting thepredetermined pattern; and sending, via a second communication channel,the presentation pattern to an information terminal device to cause theinformation terminal device to display a screen containing thepresentation pattern thereon and thereby to allow the user to input theplurality of characters assigned to the at least one specific elementcorresponding to the password derivation pattern into the usage targetsystem, wherein the generating of the internal system password is basedon the password derivation pattern and the presentation pattern.
 37. Themethod according to claim 35, wherein the sending of the presentationpattern including notifying the usage target system of a predeterminedtask corresponding the deleted at least one character to allow the usagetarget system to perform the predetermined task.
 38. A verificationserver configured to communicate with a usage target system via a firstcommunication channel and an information terminal device via a secondcommunication channel, the verification server comprising: a unit forgenerating an internal system password for a usage target system; a unitfor receiving, via a first communication channel, a plurality ofcharacters from the usage target system, the plurality of charactersbeing inputted by a user into the usage target system; a unit forcomparing the number of characters of the received plurality ofcharacters with the number of characters of the internal systempassword; a unit for deleting, if the number of characters of thereceived plurality of characters and the number of characters of theinternal system password are different, at least one character at apredetermined position from the received plurality of characters togenerate a user password; a unit for determining whether the userpassword is legitimate based on the internal system password; and a unitfor sending, via the first communication channel, a result of thedetermination made to the usage target system.
 39. The verificationserver according to claim 38, further comprising: a unit for registeringa password registering a password derivation pattern for a usage targetsystem, the password derivation pattern being based on at least onespecific element selected from a plurality of elements constituting apredetermined pattern; a unit for generating a presentation pattern inwhich a plurality of predetermined characters are assigned to aplurality of elements constituting the predetermined pattern; and a unitfor sending, via a second communication channel, the presentationpattern to an information terminal device to cause the informationterminal device to display a screen containing the presentation patternthereon and thereby to allow the user to input the plurality ofcharacters assigned to the at least one specific element correspondingto the password derivation pattern into the usage target system, whereinthe internal system password is generated based on the passwordderivation pattern and the presentation pattern.
 40. The verificationserver according to claim 38, wherein the unit for sending of thepresentation pattern including notifying the usage target system of apredetermined task corresponding to the deleted at least one characterto allow the usage target system to perform the predetermined task.